ZIMBABWE: President Robert Mugabe eased some proposed curbs to press freedom yesterday, amid fears that foreign journalists and observers would be barred from presidential elections in Zimbabwe in March.
The press Bill originally proposed by Mr Mugabe's government banned all foreign journalists from Zimbabwe and imposed stiff penalties for criticising the president.
The revised Bill would allow "permanent residents" to work as journalists. Foreigners could be accredited to cover "a specific event over a limited period of time" if they obey other still-restrictive clauses in the Bill.
The new version also removed a clause that criminalised criticism of Mr Mugabe - though a tough security law approved earlier this month already outlawed statements "causing hatred, contempt or ridicule" of the president.
Journalists and news organisations would still have to seek accreditation every one or two years from a panel appointed by the information minister.
Foreigners would still be unable to work full-time in Zimbabwe. No news organisation would be able to seek foreign funding, a clause that could hinder operations at the Daily News, Zimbabwe's only private daily newspaper.
Violations of the law would still be punished by stiff fines and up to two years in prison.
The unexpected revisions to the law came after a meeting of MPs from the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), as well as a separate politburo meeting of the party earlier yesterday.
Parliament had been expected to debate the Bill yesterday but when the house opened, ZANU-PF deputies adjourned it until today without explanation.